Calcutta High Court Urges Jadavpur University To Remove Non-Students From Campus, Says It Can't Shy Away From Regulating Entry Of Outsiders

The Calcutta High Court has questioned security arrangements at Jadavpur University after recent clashes broke out between students and education minister Bratya Basu's convoy.

At the present hearing, the petitioner submitted that clashes have been a common feature of Jadavpur University and that such attacks, especially on a sitting minister, were alarming. It was submitted that the violence was caused by outsiders present on the campus, many of whom were ex-students who had passed out many years ago.

Petitioner submitted that security measures would have to be ramped up at the university and that only court orders could save the situation. It was said that the court would have to deploy armed police vigil on the university to regain a sense of order.

It was argued that the university, which was a premier institution, was being ruined by students of a certain political faction.

Counsel appearing for the University concurred that there was the presence of non-students on the campus of the university, but contended that complete regulation on who enters and leaves the university would not be feasible.

Senior Counsel Kalyan Bandopadhyay submitted that Jadavpur University had become a hotbed for such nefarious activities and that the state cannot enter the university or act unless a requisiton had been made by the authorities.

Court upon hearing the submissions, mulled over the possibility of complete regulation of those who enter the university, including the removal of outsiders who did not belong to the university, from the campus.

Chief Justice TS Sivagnanam, speaking for the bench also comprising Justice C. Chatterjee (Das) stated: "No person except a student is entitled to enter the campus or stay in the hostel without permission of the authorities...university cannot be shy and state that it cannot control ingress and egress...it was stated that the security was being taken care of by a private agency...question is whether a private agency can provide enough security...this doubt has arisen based on the large number of FIRs registered since 2014 concerning the University."

"It is not clear why the University has not approached the state for assistance. This aspect will be considered on the next hearing date...Recently, a highly ranked politician was attacked at the university...if the situation is not conducive, it is not clear as to why such important persons accept invitations to the university, which may have a negative impact. There will be a direction to the university to not conduct any functions by inviting political functionaries," the bench ordered.

The Court thus asked the University to submit an affidavit on the measures taken to tighten security, regulate entry of outsiders and ensure the safety of those attending the university. 

Case: SUBHAM DAS VS JADAVPUR UNIVERSITY AND ORS

Case No: WPA(P)/84/2025